XVI 



TECHNICAL EDUCATION 



[1877] 



ANY candid observer of the phenomena of modern 

 society will readily admit that bores must be 

 classed among the enemies of the human race ; 

 andalittle consideration will probably lead him to the 

 further admission, that no species of that extensive 

 genus of noxious creatures is more objectionable 

 than the educational bore. Convinced as I am of 

 the truth of this great social generalisation, it is 

 not without a certain trepidation that I venture to 

 address you on an educational topic. For, in the 

 course of the last ten years, to go back no farther, 

 I am afraid to say how often I have ventured to 

 speak of education, from that given in the primary 

 schools to that which is to be had in the univer- 

 sities and medical colleges ; indeed, the only part 

 of this wide region into which, as yet, I have not 

 adventured is that into which I propose to intrude 

 to-day. 



